The application deadline for the first MIW WTI selection board convening is Oct. 9. The selection board will convene for the inaugural MIW WTI program later that month. Surface warfare officers interested in the program should contact SMWDC’s WTI program managers at SWO_WTI@Navy.mil.

Maintaining open sea lines of communication in a complex operating environment is critical to our ability to maintain Sea Control in support of the National Defense Strategy. In an era of great power competition, peer and near-peer competitors confront our ability to maintain Sea Control.

Mine warfare plays a critical role in the maintenance of Sea Control, and is a complex mission area that supports operations in every Numbered Fleet area of operations, delivering immediate strategic. As we field new technologies and systems, MIW WTIs will lead the future of Mine Warfare.

The new MIW WTI program will join existing Amphibious Warfare (AMW), Anti-Submarine Warfare / Surface Warfare (ASW/SUW), and Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) WTI programs led by SMWDC.

The first cohort of five MIW WTIs are expected to begin their course of instruction in July 2019. The full program consists of a 30-week syllabus. The majority of training will be conducted in Belgium at the NATO Naval Mine Warfare School. Additional training in San Diego and Norfolk will acquaint WTIs with Aviation and Underwater Mine Countermeasures (AMCM and UMCM) capabilities. MIW WTIs will also integrate and learn alongside SMWDC’s AMW Division in Little Creek, Va. to understand the linkages in planning and execution of Amphibious and Mine Warfare operations, to ensure WTIs are proficient in Expeditionary Mine Countermeasures (EXMCM) and Mine Countermeasures operations.

Extensive background in mine warfare is not required to apply for the program. Although the courses taught in Belgium are taught at the department head-level, the preceding MIW Staff Officer course taught by SMWDC will provide required foundational knowledge for WTI candidates to succeed in the NATO courses. Upon qualification, MIW WTIs will provide increased capability and operational support to Combatant Commanders, Numbered Fleet Commanders, and Task Force Commanders.

Similar to AMW, IAMD, and ASW/SUW WTI programs, qualified MIW WTIs will be assigned to readiness production tours where they hone and increase their tactical proficiency. MIW WTIs may be assigned to Belgium, Norfolk, San Diego, Sasebo, Yokosuka, Bahrain, or Newport.

SMWDC is a subordinate command of Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet and exists to increase the lethality and tactical proficiency of the Surface Force across all domains. SMWDC headquarters is at Naval Base San Diego with four divisions in Virginia and California focused on Sea Combat, Integrated Air and Missile Defense, Amphibious Warfare and Mine Warfare.

Interested in more information in one of SMWDC’s four WTI Programs? Reach out to the WTI Program Managers early and often at SWO_WTI@Navy.mil. We are also looking for high-performing enlisted and officers for a variety of key staff billets! Reach out to your details for more information. Follow SMWDC on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SMWDC to keep up with the latest news and updates from the command, including WTI application boards.

180713-N-MT581-0385 SAN DIEGO (July 13, 2018) Royal New Zealand Navy Sailors prepare to recover Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and Royal New Zealand Navy divers jumping from an MH-53E Sea Dragon, attached to Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron 14, as a part of dive operations during the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise, July 13. Twenty-five nations, 46 ships, five submarines, about 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC from June 27 to Aug. 2 in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California. The worlds largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security of the worlds oceans. RIMPAC 2018 is the 26th exercise in the series that began in 1971. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Curtis D. Spencer)

180718-N-SP229-1492 SAN DIEGO BAY (July 18, 2018) U.S. Navy Marine Mammal Program (NMMP) MK7 Marine Mammal System bottlenose dolphin searches for an exercise sea mine alongside an NMMP trainers. NMMP is conducting simulated mine hunting operations in Southern California during Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC), exercise, July 22. Twenty-five nations, 46 ships, five submarines, and about 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC from June 27 to Aug. 2 in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California. The worlds largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security of the worlds oceans. RIMPAC 2018 is the 26th exercise in the series that began in 1971. (U.S. Navy photo by SPAWAR Systems Center Pacific /Released)

180712-N-OW019-1394 PACIFIC OCEAN (July 12, 2018) Divers jump out of an MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopter, assigned to the Vanguard of Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron (HM) 14, during a pouncer operation in support of Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2018. Twenty-five nations, 46 ships, five submarines, about 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC from June 27 to Aug. 2 in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California. The worlds largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security of the worlds oceans. RIMPAC 2018 is the 26th exercise in the series that began in 1971. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Logan C. Kellums)

NAVAL BASE SAN DIEGO (May 14, 2018) Rear Adm. Dave Welch, commander, Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center (SMWDC) leads a discussion with Warfare Tactics Instructor (WTI) candidates on the first day of SMWDCs Instructor and Tactics Course (ITC). Following ITC graduation, the candidates will complete 14 to 17 weeks of training in Amphibious Warfare (AMW), Anti-Submarine Warfare/Surface Warfare (ASW/SUW), or Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) to earn WTI qualification and wear a distinctive WTI patch. SMWDC is one of the Navy's five Warfighting Development Centers and its mission is to increase the lethality and tactical proficiency of the Surface Force across all domains. (U.S. Navy photo by Clinton Beaird / Released)

180717-N-OW019-1119 PACIFIC OCEAN (July 17, 2018) Sailors assigned to the Royal Australian Navy cast lines from their combat rubber raiding craft to Sailors on board the amphibious dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) during the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise, July 17. Twenty-five nations, 46 ships, five submarines, about 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC from June 27 to Aug. 2 in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California. The worlds largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security of the worlds oceans. RIMPAC 2018 is the 26th exercise in the series that began in 1971. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Logan C. Kellums)

July 19, 2018

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